Fairyhouse track comes in for criticism

Senior jockeys and trainers expressed their dissatisfaction with ground conditions at Fairyhouse today, with four riders reporting that their mounts jumped grass markings in-running.

Fran Berry, despite having ridden Muscle Beach to win the Lyrath Estate & Spa Summer Ladies Day 13th July At Fairyhouse Handicap subsequently stated “ “Leigh Roche was very lucky not to fall twice on the leader (riding Local Flier .

"I was happy just to get out from behind him and it's not on in this day and age. There are some days when the track can be unsuitable because of a bad run of weather but there's no need for that and it's not good enough for a Grade 1 track.”

Trainer Andy Oliver won the finale with Panama Hat but was similarly dissatisfied and after that race stated "we have all discussed it and I don't want to add anything more negative but conditions especially for a Group 3 race didn't look well – they were running at 30 odd miles an hour and horses were seeing perspective obstacles in front of them.

“It's a mistake by Fairyhouse and whoever passed the course fit for racing, as it wasn't suitable for today's card.”

The track appeared to have sunken, uneven patches where the chase fences had previously been laid and four riders, Pat Smullen (Next Bend), Leigh Roche (Local Flier), Joseph O'Brien (Blackstone) and Declan McDonogh (Seas Of Wells) each reporting that their mounts jumped grass markings in-running.

Quotes from Gary Carson